Those who have ridden them both, or otherwise have experience with both, which is the better machine Mostly trails, some jumps, a little play at the track. I was pretty much sold on the z400 for me, until I started reading about the Raptor 700. ???

 

First of all, both machines will be great for what you are trying to do. They are both designed for the type of riding you say you will be doing -- a little bit of everything but not a lot of anything.

If you have the money go for the Raptor.

 

The z is 24lbs with a lower center of gravity. If you'll be doing a lot of technical trails with rocky uphills, you'll appreciate it. We went riding with a guy on a raptor (660) that wouldn't even attempt the hills we were going up. The z is good all around and a lot cheaper.

 

both machines are great at the trails as that is their element. the raptor can do everything the z400 can do but it has more power. then again it is also a grand more. either one is a good buy in my opinion.

the raptor 700 is a night and day difference compared to the older 660. experiences based on the 660 and what it can/cannot do are not relative to the 700.

 

Beat me to it the 660 and the 700 have totally different geometry

But like the rest have posted they are both great quads and both are designed to do a little bit of everything.
These were the same two quads I came down to deciding between. I went with the 700 and am very happy with my decision. If you are like me and dont want to ever get into motor mods Id pay the extra and get the Raptor. Im still stock and have plenty of power. I suggest going and riding both and sitting on them to see which feels better. I liked the Z400 but the Raptor has a better feel to me ( you might like the z better).

 

I was also considering the 700. Both fit what I wanted, and if money wasn't part of my decision making I probably would have ended up with the 700. It's funny how many people buy a quad specifically, or mainly, for trail riding and buy the fastest MX quad (Or fastest within their brand loyalties.) that they can
find. I chose mine because it was sporty and had reverse. Another perameter was good suspension.




I hope I didn't look like I was "bashing" the raptor. I'm not into brand or quad bashing, and I also considered the 700. I was just letting you know the experience I had. Also, it wasn't me on the raptor.

 

Does the Raptor really only have 4.4in of ground clearance? Their websites say the Rap has 4.4in, and the z400 has 10.4in. Must be a typo. The Rap has more travel though.

 

the 10.4 inches on suzuki's web site refer to the total travel of the rear, not the ground clearance.

 

the 700s are sweet...

I've never riden one but I will say I was not crazy about the seating position....... I feels a lot like the YFZ when you sit on it, it's set kind of low. I have to say even the YFZ feels that way though the 700 is not as bad, it still felt squashed compared to my KFX. It's odd because the center of gravity on both machines is very similar, yet the Yamahas feel smaller, but not cramped.

The 700's are about $1000-$1500 more on average but I bet every Raptor owner will tell you it was well worth it.